Equipment Archives - Modern Drummer Magazine

Gear Reviews

Detailed assessments of the latest drum kits and accessories

Tone Wings Add Some Focus to Your Drum Tone

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I first saw Tone Wings by Liquid Sound technologies. It’s not your every-day drum product. At first glance, you might think they fell off a piece of expensive furniture. However, garnering my…

By Jason Mehler
May 31, 2023

Evans Hybrid Sensory Percussion Sound System An Open Canvas for Sonic Expression

As a product that began as a successful Kickstarter campaign by Sunhouse Technologies, Sensory Percussion™ has matured and evolved thanks to a partnership with EVANS drumheads. The joint venture has created the new EVANS Hybrid Sensory Percussion Sound System. This…

By Jason Mehler
May 31, 2023

Outlaw Drums Sound Control Technology Snare A Clean Sounding, Extremely Stable, Stave Constructed Snare Drum

Outlaw Drums are known as high quality stave construction drums that are built from centuries-old wood. They ooze with history. For anyone who owns one of these drums, they know how great they sound. Yet, in some circumstances and environments,…

By Brian Hill
May 31, 2023

beyerdynamic Reimagines its Classic M Series Microphones

beyerdynamic – the preferred audio brand for live music and studio professionals globally – is unveiling a redesign of its storied M Series mics at NAMM 2023. The iconic M Series, which has recorded Jimi Hendrix’s explosive guitar riffs and…

Modern Drummer
May 31, 2023

Latin Percussion Launch Panderos De Plena Folkloric Puerto Rican Drums

Latin Percussion is pleased to present its new Panderos De Plena, a collection of handheld drums to honor the rhythmic heritage and culture Puerto Rico. This further expands the brands extensive range of professional world and ethnic percussion instruments. Latin…

Modern Drummer
May 31, 2023

Gretsch Drums Launch Limited Edition 140th Anniversary Kit

When Friedrich Gretsch opened a small music shop in Brooklyn, N.Y. in 1883, no one expected his drums would become one of the most respected, iconic brands in music history. To celebrate, Gretsch is proud to present the Limited Edition…

Modern Drummer
May 31, 2023

Steve Smith’s 1980 Sonor Phonic Kit

In early 1980 Journey was preparing to hit the road to support their album Departure which included the hit single “Any Way You Want It.” By that time, the band was a headline act playing arenas across North America and…

By Donn Bennett
May 31, 2023

DW Launches the Alex Gonzalez DW ICON™ Snare

Drum Workshop, Inc. is proud to present the Alex Gonzalez DW ICON™ Snare; a tribute to the legendary drummer of Latin pop icons Maná. Alex Gonzalez and his band, Maná, are one of the biggest pop/rock bands in the world.…

Modern Drummer
Apr 30, 2023

Your Sonic Universe Awaits with Evans Hybrid and Sensory Percussion

EVANS Drumheads, maker of the most technologically advanced drumheads on Earth, is thrilled to announce a new partnership with Sunhouse Technologies Inc. Building upon Sunhouse’s foundational Sensory Percussion technology, the joint venture features completely redesigned versions of both the hardware…

Modern Drummer
Apr 30, 2023

PDP Concept Metal Snare Drums Brushed Aluminum, Copper, and Brass Shells

Pacific Drums and Percussion (PDP) was formed by Drum Workshop (DW) in 1999 to provide a more affordable premium quality brand of drums, pedals, and hardware. PDP features “boutique-inspired, player friendly features, and best-in-class build-quality to more drummers around the…

By Brian Hill
Apr 30, 2023

Latin Percussion Launches Tito Puente Signature Timbale and Cowbell Sets

Latin Percussion is proud to launch the limited-edition Tito Puente Signature Timbale and Cowbell sets to mark the centennial of the birth of ‘El Rey del Timbal’. Famed composer, band leader, and percussionist, Tito Puente, had a career that spanned…

Modern Drummer
Apr 30, 2023

Roland TD-27KV2 Another V-Drum offering

Having already experienced some of Roland’s recent upgrades to their V-Drums lineup, I was eager to get ahold of their TD-27KV2 model. The TD-27KV2 is Roland’s mid-level kit, which is a step up in features (and price) from their TD-17KVX2.…

By Jason Mehler
Apr 30, 2023

WFL III Drums Birdseye Maple Snare Classic Maple Mahogany Shell with a Modern Twist

William F Ludwig III, WFL III Drums chief drum designer, sent Modern Drummer one of their new G2 shell series, Birdseye Maple snare drums for us to put through the paces. WFL III Drums have been upping their game considerably…

By Brian Hill
Apr 30, 2023

1930-39 Leedy Butterfly Girl Trap Kit with Rolling Console

The year is 1930, the place is Bridgeport, Conn. Composer and drummer Oscar F. Knablin plays this set of drums at the Fox-Poli Theater. How do we know this? Oscar was kind enough to write this information on the inside…

By Tim Northup
Apr 30, 2023